A new spring element for steel joints based on the components method

The Component Method (CM), as formulated in Eurocode 3, provides an efficient framework for characterizing the structural response of steel joints, serving as a viable alternative to complex finite element (FE) simulations. However, conventional CM-based models overlook key aspects such as group effects, component interactions, and the variation of shear force along the column web panel height, which are systematically integrated into the proposed enhanced finite element formulation. A major advancement of the proposed approach lies in the implementation of static condensation, which reduces the computational complexity of the model while maintaining its predictive accuracy. It ensures a more practical and computationally efficient tool for design engineers. The model’s validity is demonstrated through comparisons with experimental data and analytical solutions, confirming its compliance with Eurocode 3 and its applicability to various loading conditions.